Bowl America reopens in Gaithersburg

Bowl America has temporarily reopened at 1101 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg. They have special rules and hours in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Today through next Sunday, September 5, the bowling alley will be open from 2:00-10:00 PM.

Only 50 people may be in the building at one time. You must be bowling to enter; spectators are not allowed at this time. Bowl America recommends calling ahead to find out what the current wait time is; their number is 301-330-5200.

Nine Districts for MoCo is on the ballot - and so is a poison pill from the Montgomery County Council

“The government closest to 

the people serves 

the people best” 

- Thomas Jefferson

The citizen group Nine Districts for MoCo's petitions have been approved by the Montgomery County Board of Elections, meaning that voters will have the chance in the November election to vote to change the structure of the Council from 5 district and 4 at-large seats to 9 district seats. Two key reasons the proposed question received strong support from residents were the oversized, gerrymandered districts that sprawl across the County, and that a majority of the Council all live in the same vicinity of Takoma Park, leaving upcounty voters in particular with less representation on the Council. Fearing the ballot question would be approved, the Montgomery County Council ginned up its own ballot question on the Council structure in the dark of night, to serve as a poison pill if voters approve the Nine Districts Question D.

The Council's Question C proposes to keep the Council as it is, but add an additional two district seats, at great additional annual cost for staff and operations. On its face, it would appear to be merely a selfish attempt by the current members to preserve their seats. And it certainly is that. But the Council above all seeks to sabotage the voters' will through Question C, just as it infamously did with the ambulance fee.

Even the order of the questions has been rigged by the corrupt Council. Note that its undemocratic ballot question, which was rammed through at the end of a session with no public process, input or comment, was placed before the citizen-endorsed Nine Districts Question D on the November ballot.

The farther down the ballot an office, question or referendum is, the less likely it is to be voted upon by less diligent voters. But the Council isn't merely hoping you'll tire out before you to get to Question D.

In fact, they're not worried if you vote for both - because if their poison pill Question C and the Nine Districts Question D both get approved by a majority of voters, likely out of confusion, the matter of changing the Council structure would then go to the courts. And we all know the Montgomery County cartel almost never loses in any court within the borders of Maryland.

This is why it's essential, if you are dissatisfied with the current Council, to vote FOR Question D and AGAINST Question C.

We all know that even if the Nine Districts Question D passes, that the Council will try its darnedest to once again gerrymander the districts to ensure that only one party can possibly win. They may be shaped even more absurdly than the wacky ones splattered across the map today.

But even these gerrymandered nine new districts would, by the rules of mathematics, have to be geographically smaller. Thomas Jefferson, one of the greatest thinkers in human history, said, “The government closest to the people serves the people best.” No longer would one tiny area within the downcounty have the power to control up to six out of the nine seats on the Council. And it would be far less likely for seven of the nine councilmembers to live downcounty, as they do now.

It's virtually unprecedented in County history to have a poison pill ballot question designed to sabotage another, where a victory by both sends the entire matter into legal oblivion. But then this Council increasingly has fought an unprecedented ideological war against the very constituents it represents.

So unpopular are its policies that residents approved term limits. And when energetic protesting of Council actions (and inaction) became too embarrassing in 2016-17, the Council literally locked its constituents out of the Council building permanently, turning 100 Maryland Avenue into a secure fortress. A Council of the People, a Council not suffering from paranoia and megalomania, doesn't have to lock out the public.

If locking the People out wasn't enough, the Council took another unprecedented step - it refused to engage in the all-American, democratic process of debating its political opponents in the last election. Civic associations were successfully pressured by the Montgomery County cartel to cancel all of their general election debates in 2018. Washington Post reporters Jennifer Barrios and Robert McCartney were fully aware of this, but chose not to cover it. In fact, they mysteriously never wrote a single sentence about the general election Council races in 2018.

Democracy dies in darkness, indeed.

It is once again time for the citizens to shine a light into that corrupt darkness, by voting FOR Question D to create nine compact districts, and AGAINST Question C.

The Council is again attempting to sabotage an election, this time by confusion. Just remember this handy guide to defeat them: "D" stands for democracy. "C" stands for corruption. Vote FOR Democracy and AGAINST Corruption, by voting FOR D and AGAINST C.

Photo via National Archives

Indecent exposure in Germantown garage

Montgomery County police responded to a report of indecent exposure in Germantown on Wednesday night. The incident occurred in a residential parking garage in the 13300 block of Wedgeport Lane, around 8:00 PM.

Signage installed at Fantasticks at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Signage has been installed at the future location of Fantasticks at Rio Lakefront. There's still a ways to go on the interior construction, as you can see. Fantasticks' specialty is customizable gelato bars and pops.

Watkins Mill High School teacher charged with sexual abuse of MCPS student

A Democratic congressional candidate who currently works as a teacher at Watkins Mill High School was arrested by Montgomery County police yesterday, and charged with multiple sexual offenses involving a former student when he was employed at Col E. Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring between 2014 and 2015. Maxwell Bero, 30, of Clarksburg ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for Congress in the 6th Congressional District earlier this year.

On Wednesday, Bero was charged with sexual abuse of a minor, and multiple counts of committing a third-degree sexual offense. His alleged victim was a 14-year-old girl at the time, and is now 19. The sexual interactions Bero is accused of took place on school property, police said. Bero also allegedly exchanged "inappropriate sexual materials and messages" with the girl.

Police are concerned Bero may have additional victims. Detectives of the Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking anyone who believes that he/she is a victim of Bero to call SVID detectives at 240-773-5400. Montgomery County Public Schools has placed Bero on administrative leave, and his bond information was not released by police yesterday.

RanKen Noodle House posts menu in Gaithersburg

RanKen Noodle House is boosting enthusiasm for its future opening by posting a sample menu with photos on the front window. The ramen noodle shop will be located at 133 Commerce Square at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg.

Ronky Creative Hair Salon to replace Hair Cuttery at Gaithersburg Square

Patrons of the shuttered Hair Cuttery at Gaithersburg Square won't have to go back to quarantine self-haircuts after all. Ronky Creative Hair Salon has leased their vacant space. They are currently hiring stylists and staff.

Spirit Halloween coming to Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg for 2020

Spirit Halloween has leased the former Pier 1 Imports space at Rio Lakefront at 30 Grand Corner Avenue in Gaithersburg. The store is currently being stocked inside, and is expected to open on September 4.

Armed robbery in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery early Wednesday morning in Gaithersburg. The robbery occurred in a commercial parking lot in the 16000 block of Shady Grove Road at 12:24 AM. A gun was the weapon used in the robbery.

Indecent exposure at Gaithersburg rec center

Gaithersburg police responded to a report of indecent exposure at a recreation center Monday afternoon. The incident occurred at a rec center in the 12100 block of Darnestown Road around 1:23 PM, according to crime data.

Gaithersburg residents launch website, petition against plan to turn house into crematorium

Residents opposed to a proposal that would turn a house behind DeVol Funeral Home in Gaithersburg into a crematorium have stepped up their fight, after city officials signaled there was little they could do legally to stop it under the current zoning code. A website and petition have been created online by residents, the former providing email addresses for Gaithersburg elected officials. Comments must be submitted by September 1, 2020.

Gaithersburg places Lakeforest Mall redevelopment under moratorium

Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council voted last night to institute a moratorium on development that would prevent Lakeforest Mall from being redeveloped in the near future. Expected to last a year, the moratorium could be lifted sooner if city officials chose to do so.

The mall's operator has failed to acquire the anchor store spaces at the property it sought to buy. A 5-1 majority voted for the moratorium. The general consensus was that the mall site is such a rare redevelopment opportunity for a large property in the city, and officials want to ensure it is done right.

Car stolen in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a car being stolen in Montgomery Village early Saturday morning. The vehicle was taken from a residential parking lot in the 20200 block of Gentle Way.

Montgomery County Public Schools not the top school system in Maryland, analysis says

Prominent data analysis firm Stacker has used hard numbers to determine the best school district in each state across America. Montgomery County Public Schools was not the winner.

Stacker says Howard County public schools are the best in the state. They determined this by reviewing statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, SAT/ACT scores, college readiness, teacher quality, and graduation rates.

MCPS has been in a steady decline since 2010, despite record spending on public schools over that same time. County elected officials have panicked this fall as a sizable number of parents transferred their MCPS students into private schools, and only a fraction of the anticipated number of new students materialized on the MCPS 2020-21 student roster.

Car stolen in Damascus

A car was reported stolen in Damascus yesterday morning. The vehicle was taken from a driveway of a home in the 9800 block of Highview Avenue. It was taken sometime between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Strong arm robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village Sunday night. The robbery took place in the 19300 block of Montgomery Village Avenue around 11:07 PM.

Gaithersburg won't allow Lakeforest Mall to convert anchor stores into Amazon fulfillment centers

Simon Property Group's stock got a boost Monday on word that it is in serious talks with Amazon to convert failing anchor store spaces in some of its mall into fulfillment center warehouses for the online retail giant. Such a use would have obvious appeal to the operators of struggling Lakeforest Mall, as well. Not so fast, the City of Gaithersburg said last night. City staff said at last night's Mayor and Council meeting that Gaithersburg's zoning code would not permit such uses at Lakeforest Mall.

Gaithersburg is already tussling with Amazon over the future of the Leidos property at MD 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue. Amazon would like to use the site as a distribution center, while city leaders have said they want a more ambitious, mixed-use project there.

Shooting on Montgomery Village Avenue

Gaithersburg police responded to a report of a shooting in the unit block of Montgomery Village Avenue around 10:00 PM on Saturday night. Officers found a 19-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound in a parking lot there. Although the victim's injuries were considered serious, he is expected to survive.

Investigators ask that anyone with information about this shooting or the identities of the suspect(s) contact the Gaithersburg Police - Investigative Section at 301-258-6400.

Photo via Gaithersburg Police Department

Montgomery County health officer rescinds order closing private schools

St. Bartholomew's Catholic School
in Bethesda

One of the most bizarre weeks in Montgomery County political history ended yesterday with Health Officer Travis Gayles rescinding his latest order closing private schools through October 1. Gayles knocked over a hornet's nest a week earlier with a similar order issued in the dark of night as the weekend began. Parents filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the order. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan rebuked County officials, and issued his own order blocking the County from declaring a blanket closure of private schools. Gayles rescinded his first order, and then issued a second one based on a different Maryland law. As the week ended, County officials ignored a tepid memo from the Hogan administration, and were moving aggressively to shutter private schools as some began to announce they would start the semester online-only.

The aggressive stance County officials had taken Thursday made their capitulation Friday appropriately bizarre, in keeping with a turbulent week that made national headlines, with Montgomery County a topic on cable news. Gayles said he decided to rescind his order after reading the memo from the Maryland Secretary of Health. But that memo was issued more than 24 hours prior to Gayles announcing he was rescinding the order.

What is clear is that virtually all of the deliberation about the whole matter has taken place behind closed doors, out of public view. If the County had no legal standing, why did it issue the order in the first place? The County has often broken the law and prevailed in court virtually every time. What did they fear would happen this time?

Many believed the move was to stanch the outflow of Montgomery County Public School students to private schools this fall. MCPS had projected it would register 2500 new students for the fall semester. Instead, only 300 had signed up by mid-summer. Parents who felt their children were ill-served by MCPS online instruction last spring sought the in-class instruction many private schools will offer this fall. Student athletes sought private schools where they could still impress college scouts, where MCPS has cancelled sports this fall. And MCPS has been in a steep decline since 2010, no longer considered a premiere school system.

It's unclear what the week-long Kabuki theater by the County accomplished, other than riling up a new group of residents into political activism. Parents may or may not remember that the County Council supported the closure of private schools when they vote in 2022. A few schools and a few students may have changed plans, but ultimately County officials lost more than they gained.

Gayles issued a new order yesterday. It does not force private schools to close, but basically says it is unsafe for them to open, and that they will operate over his objections. The order essentially gives Gayles ground to say, "I told you so," if there is an outbreak of Covid-19 at a private school this fall. However, many have pointed out that summer camps and daycare programs have been operating all summer without a reported outbreak. If the outcome is anything like the run-up, we can be sure it will be unpredictable.

Montgomery County appears to have upper hand on private schools closure order until court date

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

Tepid state response comes amid some

private schools' decisions to accept 

online start to fall semester

Is the newest order by Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles closing private schools through October 1, 2020 legal, in light of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's own order forbidding such blanket closures of non-public schools? We likely won't even begin to know the answer to that question until it gets its first courtroom hearing a week from today. But Montgomery County's aggressive approach, and one state official's tepid response to it Thursday, appears to have given Montgomery leaders the upper hand in the interim.

A few private schools have begun switching gears amidst the impasse, announcing they will begin their fall semesters online, rather than in-class. This may demoralize some opponents of the County's order, if their students enrolled in those schools can't have in-person instruction before October anyway. Some Catholics have criticized the Archdiocese of Washington for not making a more forceful stand against the closures of their schools, while others have said Catholic leaders are most effective negotiating quietly behind the scenes.

But a response from Hogan putting the County in its place that many opponents hoped was coming from Annapolis yesterday never arrived. In its stead was a letter from Maryland Secretary of Health Robert R. Neall. Rather than threaten legal or law enforcement action against County officials for violating Hogan's express order, it simply laid out "the State of Maryland's position" on the matter. The letter reiterated Hogan's order that counties may not institute blanket closures of all private schools, but that health officers retain the authority to shut down individual schools in violation of CDC and Maryland Health Department protocols on reopening of schools. Montgomery County promptly ignored Neall's letter and proceeded forward.

Perhaps the state's low-key response is strategic ahead of the upcoming legal battle. But in the short term, it appears Hogan will not take immediate action to enforce his order. That leaves parents to continue to be the primary opposing force for at least another week. It also leaves the outcome in the hands of the judge in a courtroom, a place where Montgomery County Government almost never loses, it must be noted. If Montgomery County's order isn't legally airtight, they're sure acting like it is - and in the absence of action from Annapolis, they aim to take a knee and run out the clock.

With the overall goal being about protecting enrollment numbers at Montgomery County Public Schools amid an exodus of students as much a public health, the luxury of no strong opposition from Annapolis is a winning hand. That time ticking away, and the uncertainty, is already having an impact on some private schools' plans.

"The way forward for Good Counsel is to focus on stability," Our Lady of Good Counsel High School President Paul G. Barker said in a statement yesterday, announcing the school will begin the semester online. "We have just over a week to faculty orientation, two weeks to freshman orientation, and three weeks to the first day of classes for all. We have waited as long as we can to provide our teachers and families a clear path for the start of school."

Roosters coming to Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Roosters Men's Grooming Center is coming soon to Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The upscale barber shop will be in this vacant storefront across from Barnes & Noble near Target. "Premium" haircuts, shaves and color treatments will be among the services offered.

Montgomery County digs in to fight parents with new private schools closure order

Bullis School in Potomac

Order again prohibits

private schools from opening

through October 1

Montgomery County officials moved aggressively Wednesday to signal they will fight private school parents on the question of whether private schools will be allowed to open for in-person instruction this fall. County Health Officer Travis Gayles was heavily criticized for issuing an order late last Friday evening prohibiting private schools from opening through October 1, 2020, and then hiding from the local media until Monday. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) first criticized the County's order, and then issued his own order prohibiting any Maryland county from issuing a blanket closure of private schools. A group of private school parents then filed a lawsuit against Gayles' order. Despite this, Gayles issued a new order last evening, again blocking private schools from opening through October 1.

The new order cites a different, very broad Maryland law to justify the closures, Maryland Code Annotated Health General § 18-208. However, this law states:

a)(1) When a health officer has reason to believe that a disease that endangers public health exists within the county, the health officer shall:

(i) Report immediately to the appropriate county board of health;  and

(ii) With the approval of the board:

1. Investigate the suspected disease;  and

2. Act properly to prevent the spread of the disease.

The County board of health in our case is the County Council. Gayles may "act properly to prevent the spread of" Covid-19 "with the approval of the board." So far, the Council has not taken a formal vote to approve the closure of private schools in Montgomery County. To the extent that the Council has discussed the topic at all, most councilmembers supported Gayles' original order. Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D - District 1) has attempted to have it both ways by sending Gayles a letter with questions about his decision, but did not rake Gayles over the coals when he testified before the Council earlier this week and had the opportunity, much less openly oppose the closure order.

Similarly, the Council does not wish to accept the political responsibility for closing private schools, and are glad to cede that role to Gayles, an unelected official who does not have to face voters in the 2022 elections. There's no question they support it, however, as the Montgomery County political cartel is demanding the private school closure.

Considering that Montgomery County Government virtually never loses in any courthouse located within the borders of Maryland (even when laws or County rules have been broken, as in the Westbard case), a judge might find the Council's verbal support and lack of action against Gayles' orders to be sufficient to say Gayles is acting "with the approval of the board." How Gayles' latest order can stand in the context of Hogan's order preventing a blanket closure of private schools is the biggest legal question, it would seem. Hogan has not yet responded with any new official action since the new County order was issued Wednesday.

The October 1 date is significant from a federal funding standpoint, not a health standpoint. That the County would take such an aggressive posture to ensure a closure through October 1 merely confirms that the exodus of students from Montgomery County Public Schools to private schools is significant and intensifying.

In fact, the closure order and successive media frenzy has been great advertising for private schools, possibly ending up as a backfire for those who sought to use the ban to stop the outflow of students seeking in-person instruction and athletics. Everything from MCPS funding to teacher salaries depends upon the enrollment numbers in the public school system, understandably leading those who will wind up losing from a mass flight to private schools pounding the panic button.

There is a legitimate question as to the risk to students, teachers, parents and the community at large that private schools opening would pose during the pandemic. But the legal questions as to the authority of the health officer and governor over the matter are likely to be resolved first, in the hours, days and weeks ahead.

Gaithersburg Planning Commission still has questions for Royal Farms

The eagerly-anticipated opening of the first Royal Farms convenience store and mega gas station in Montgomery County could move another step closer tonight. Gaithersburg's Planning Commission will continue its review of the final site plan for the project at its virtual meeting this evening at 7:30 PM. Commissioners expect to hear from representatives of Royal Farms tonight about their plan to better integrate the icebox and propane sales display into the exterior architectural design of the building. City staff are recommending approval of the final site plan.

Commissioners will also be reviewing details on the adjacent Starbucks store. Both stores will be at the Spectrum development off Watkins Mill Road. They'll also review a sign request from the owners of Kentlands Market Square tonight.

Pâte à Cake holding soft opening in Gaithersburg

Pâte à Cake, a French-Japanese bakery and dessert cafe, is having a soft opening at 112 Paramount Park Drive in Gaithersburg. It is located in the Spectrum development, and easily accessed from the new Watkins Mill Road I-270 interchange. See below for hours and menu.

Cinco de Mayo opens in Gaithersburg

Cinco de Mayo opened yesterday at Market Square in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg. You can check out the menu here. Cinco de Mayo is located at 640 Center Point Way.

Gaithersburg residents riled by plan to convert house into crematorium, funeral parlor

"It may be time to leave, but not

before the next election," resident

writes to Mayor

DeVol Funeral Home at 10 East Deer Park Drive in Gaithersburg is seeking to expand its operations onto an adjoining property at 14 East Deer Park Drive, and neighbors are not too happy about it. The plan would convert the single-family home into "a funeral home, which includes viewing parlors and an associated crematorium." Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council are scheduled to take up the proposal at their virtual meeting tonight

The funeral home's plan would also add a new sidewalk in front of the property, and four new hackberry trees. Additional parking for the funeral home would be added. A staff report says the crematorium would be built onto the rear of the building at 14 East Deer Park.

"Here is yet another example of the 'anything goes' mentality that seems to plague this portion of Gaithersburg and backs up the notion of a tale of two cities," two nearby residents wrote to Mayor Jud Ashman. Some residents noted they have already been impacted by last year's approval of a Wawa convenience store and mega-gas-station.

"Once again, just as in the Wawa debacle, the neighborhood is becoming less attractive by the action and inaction of the Mayor and Council, with no opportunity for the citizens affected to be heard," a resident of Gaither Street wrote. "During the 48 years that my wife and I have lived in Gaithersburg we have seen the core of the City deteriorate. It may be time to leave, but not before the next election."

"This is close to our home and I’m seriously concerned about my family’s health due to the potential release of toxins," a resident of Cedar Avenue wrote, including an outline of research on the topic.

Because this is the first formal hearing on the proposal, city planning staff is not yet offering a recommendation on whether it should be approved or not.

Hogan issues order prohibiting blanket closure of private schools by Montgomery County

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has issued an emergency order prohibiting Montgomery County from closing private schools this fall. The order, which applies to all counties, states that opening and closing decisions during the pandemic are to be made by local education authorities. Hogan's order asserts that private and parochial schools have the same authority to determine their ability to open, and that Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles exceeded his authority in issuing his order late Friday evening.

"Over the last several weeks, school boards and superintendents made their own decisions about how and when to reopen public schools, after consultation with state and local health officials," Hogan wrote in a statement accompanying his emergency order. “Private and parochial schools deserve the same opportunity and flexibility to make reopening decisions based on public health guidelines. The blanket closure mandate imposed by Montgomery County was overly broad and inconsistent with the powers intended to be delegated to the county health officer."

After initially stating his opposition to Gayles' order over the weekend, Hogan has now taken action, entering what has become a contentious fight between private school parents and Montgomery County. The Republican governor, who has had to navigate a majority-blue state political sphere for two terms, is widely expected to be a candidate for president in 2024.

Montgomery County health officer reportedly set high bar for Covid-19 positive tests before ordering private schools closed

Holton-Arms School in Bethesda

Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles reportedly said a major decline in positive coronavirus tests would be necessary to allow private schools to open this fall, prior to releasing his controversial order prohibiting private schools from opening through October 1. A person who was on a call between Gayles and a private school advisory group earlier last week recalled Gayles seeking daily positive Covid-19 test results to be in the single digits or teens before giving private schools the green light to reopen. Based on current case trends in the county, that is unlikely to happen this fall, much less by October 1.

Many are seeking answers as to what the specific data metrics behind the private schools order were, in part to discern whether or not the standard is one that could be met by October 1, or if the County is simply seeking to stanch an outflow of students from the public school system this fall. Gayles did not make himself available to the media over the weekend after releasing his order late Friday. More than 3000 private school parents have organized to oppose Montgomery County's order in the three days since it was issued.

Montgomery County private school parents mobilize to challenge closure order

Holy Redeemer School in Kensington

Montgomery County parents of children in private schools have moved quickly this weekend to counter a Friday county government order preventing those schools from opening through October 1. As of this morning, I am aware of two legal challenges to County Health Officer Travis Gayles' order being prepared. At least one Facebook group was started, and quickly grew to over 2000 members. And an online petition has begun gathering signatures.

In addition to challenging the legal authority of the County to shutter private schools, some parents have also questioned the blanket nature of the order, rather than having the County review the specific plans of each school by set standards. For example, a member of the Holy Redeemer School advisory board noted that the school's classrooms all have exterior doors, and that the school has no buses or cafeteria, and argued that such circumstances would allow it to operate with a greater degree of safety. 

Advocates of keeping instruction online-only for now counter that it is the enclosed classroom environment that will put students, teachers and the at-risk populations they interact with outside of school in danger of contracting Covid-19. Some private school teachers had lobbied for a closure in recent weeks, saying they want the same protection that Montgomery County Public School employees are getting with the closure of public schools for the fall semester.

Montgomery County prohibits private schools from opening through October 1

Sidwell Friends Lower School in
the Edgemoor neighborhood of Bethesda

Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles issued an order prohibiting private schools in the county from opening through October 1, 2020. A statement from the County says Gayles will consider extending or terminating the order prior to October 1. Gayles said "the data does not suggest that in-person instruction is safe for students or teachers. We have seen increases in transmission rates for COVID-19 in the State of Maryland, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia, particularly in younger age groups, and this step is necessary to protect the health and safety of Montgomery County residents.”

The order came as many parents with the financial means to do so were scrambling to transfer their children out of Montgomery County Public Schools into private schools for the Fall 2020 semester. MCPS has already announced it will not offer in-class instruction, continuing an all-online instruction method begun this spring. A number of MCPS student athletes were also counting on transfers to private schools in order to play sports, so that they can be considered by colleges for scholarships.

As such transfer plans are now possibly moot, some are suggesting the County's move was political, to discourage a mass exodus from MCPS. If MCPS loses a significant number of students, it will also lose funding in the future. Some also questioned the legality of the order, calling for a legal challenge.

A few critics of President Trump cheered the move on social media, noting that the order would prevent his own son, Barron Trump, from receiving the in-classroom instruction the president has advocated for the nation. Barron Trump attends St. Andrews Episcopal School in Potomac.

Montgomery County says that any private school official who knowingly disobeys the ban on in-class instruction will face a one-year jail term, or a $5000 fine, or both.